Hereford’s Park-and-Ride Plan Scrapped as Alternatives Explored

Plans for a “park-and-ride” system in Hereford have been abandoned as the city moves forward with its new Transport Hub. According to Coun Philip Price, the transport chief of Herefordshire Council, the anticipated costs of such schemes outweigh their potential benefits in alleviating traffic congestion.

While the decision to dismiss park-and-ride initiatives marks a significant shift in transportation planning, the council’s draft local transport strategy aims to enhance bus usage. This includes proposals for implementing “bus priority and/or bus-only access on certain streets.”

In addition to the traditional park-and-ride concept, the council is considering a variant known as “park-and-choose.” This approach encourages drivers to switch to alternative transport modes, such as cycling, for the final leg of their journey into the city. Ten potential sites have been identified along the city’s periphery for this purpose.

Local transport advocate Liz Morawiecka expressed her agreement with the council’s decision, stating that Hereford cannot effectively replicate the park-and-ride systems found in cities like Bath or Oxford. She noted that Hereford lacks the volume of tourist traffic required for such schemes, as well as suitable roads for dedicated bus lanes. Furthermore, she emphasized that these initiatives often necessitate substantial financial subsidies.

Morawiecka highlighted that improved cycling infrastructure, paired with additional car parking, could make commuting by bike a feasible option for residents living in areas like Belmont Abbey to the west and Aylestone Hill to the east of the city.

Potential Park-and-Choose Site at Risk

Concerns are rising regarding one of the largest proposed sites for the park-and-choose scheme, located at the junction of Hedgerow Way and the A49 north of Hereford. Jeremy Milln, a councillor and chair of the Hereford Civic Society, indicated that a plan to construct 31 homes for armed forces personnel adjacent to this site could significantly reduce available parking spaces from 350 to just 100. Milln cautioned that this reduction would “seriously undermine the policy commitment towards sustainable modes for trips to and from the city centre.”

Despite these concerns, Adam Lewis, a planning officer involved with the project, has stated in a report that there is “no reason to believe that the function of the facility and the contribution it makes towards promoting sustainable travel would be compromised” by the proposed housing development.

In light of these developments, Coun Price has previously asserted that the planned western bypass around Hereford, which the current administration is advocating, “will create the conditions to support more walking, cycling, and use of public transport in the city.”

As Hereford navigates its transportation challenges, the focus now shifts to finding viable alternatives that can effectively address traffic congestion while promoting sustainable travel options.